It was a cold and wet February day when we visited Billy Bob's: America Ice cream Parlour - Diner - Play centre. The grandchildren were driving us crazy stuck indoors due to bad weather, they needed to let of steam. Billy Bobs is always good for stress relief.
The Yorkshire Dales is famous for outstanding scenery, unspoilt countryside, diverse wildlife habitats, and a rich cultural heritage but one thing you don't expect is a 1950's diner that looks like Arnold’s from “Happy Days” set in Milwaukee
Billy Bobs is located between Skipton and Bolton Abbey. Here is a hand link to Google maps
The American diner- Ice cream parlour - play barn is based on the Duke of Devonshire estate which comprises of 30,000 acres of moorland, woodland and agricultural land.
The farm itself is 120 acres in size and home to a charolais pedigree cattle herd and a flock of mule sheep.
In 2004 it became the home to the Yorkshire Dales Ice cream factory sold Ice cream at agricultural shows and a number of supermarkets around the country. Although it is a working farm they do not have their own dairy herd. The milk is sourced from local farms,
It recently built an American diner, Ice cream parlour and play barn.
There are indoor and outdoor play areas. The outdoor area is free with wooden structures to climb slides and plenty of space to run, suitable for a range of ages.
The indoor area is a covered barn with hay bales, slides and rope swing. It’s £2 per child and play’s limited to two hours. During busy times only the children of guests who have booked a table to dine in the restaurant are allowed to use the indoor play facilities. There are two areas: one for under sevens and one for over sevens although you will find all age groups in both.
There is a small kiosk to buy a warm drink should you need one
After managing to drag the grandchildren away from the play barn we headed over to the diner.
We had booked a booth, the yellow school bus was fully booked. .
The diner is set out for different areas.
Billy Bobs Ice Cream parlour serves all your traditional flavours like Vanilla and Mint Choc Chip or pick from high-falutin’ flavours like Key Lime Pie, Rainbow Sherbet or Cotton Candy; there’s near about 30 or so on offer.
You can also get waffles & American pancakes made fresh to order,
1950's Soda Fountain
If your feeling thirsty you can get a hand pulled soda from their restored 1940s Chicago soda stream
Need a caffine fix then in pride of place is their authentic Airstream serving up expertly drawn espresso drinks.
If you are planning a full meal you can book one of three rooms. There is an adults only room, a booth in the Ice cream parlour or dine on a school bus
. The food is everything you would expect from an American diner. Hot Dogs, Chilli Dogs, handmade Burgers and more, but you’ll also find their take on the best Stateside cooking; The Brooklyn Deli, Carolina Chicken and Oklahoma Pulled Pork. Then add in some homemade sides; tumbleweed Onion Straws, Hand-Cut Fries and Hickory Smoked Beans to really make it a memorable meal. view the menu
Although Billy Bobs is a working farm there are no petting animals. Hesketh Farm Park is only 5 miles away . There’s loads to do, including feeding and stroking the animals.